Rock Creek came to Borden having both lost season-opening games and both were in search of a victory Saturday (Nov. 28). Rock Creek ended up being the team that left Borden with a 71-62 win.
Borden came in the first quarter pushing the pace up trying to minimize the impact of Rock Creeks size. Rock Creek had the inside size with 6’6’ Dontale Mayes and 6’4” Joe Pearson who were both tall and big. Borden managed to neutralize Rock Creek’s size with quickness and keeping the ball out of the middle.
Dalton Wagoner and Jacob Rich put up nine points inside using their quickness. Rock Creek’s answer came from Ethan Hawn working from a guard position putting up eight points. Rock Creek lead the first quarter 15 - 13.
In the second quarter Rock Creek switched defenses to a full court press and a zone. The press had little effect but the zone slowed the game down. It minimized Borden’s slashing drives and slowed the ball movement down. Jon Ashby scored Rock Creek’s only 3-point shot of the game while the scoring was spread among five players for the quarter.
Borden’s offence consisted of 6 for 10 from the free throw line and a couple of field goals. The zone created problems getting their offense up to the pace they are accustom to.
Rock Creek appeared to have taken control of the game leading 31 - 23 at half-time.
After the half Rock Creek started with a man-to-man defense, full court. With five minutes left in the quarter the change in defense had cost them five fouls and opened the door. They switched back to a zone but the momentum had shifted.
Borden took advantage of the man-to-man and built up momentum to close the margin. With two minutes left in the third quarter they took the lead 40 - 39. Borden went to a zone defense and Rock Creek came back with six points to lead the third quarter 45 - 40.
Jacob Rich hit two of his five 3-point shots of the night along with Brandon Beam’s nine points made up Borden’s scoring for the quarter. Rock Creek’s scoring was balanced between five players scoring one to three points each.
Rock Creek came out in the fourth quarter with the zone defense again and built up their lead. Borden managed to pull back to within five after Rich hit two more 3-pointers with 1:15 to play at 63 - 58. But to get this close Borden played aggressive, over pursuit defense for the whole quarter. It cost them Beam to fouls with 1:49 left in the fourth. It also put Rock Creek on the foul line a lot.
Rock Creek’s Reece Barker and Hawn hit five each of the 16 free throws for the quarter. Rock Creek hit 16 of 18 free throws in the fourth. This combined with five field goals was enough to hold off Borden for a final score of Rock Creek 71 - Borden 62.
Rock Creek’s leading scorer was Ethan Hawn with 18 pts; eight from free throws without a miss. He was followed by Barker with 17 then Mayes and Austin with 12 each.
Borden’s leading scorer was Jacob Rich with 27 points from five 3-pointers. He was followed by Beam with 14 and Wagoner with 11.
Rock Creek’s coach Chris Brown commented, “We played much better than our loss against Clarksville last week. Our zone defense was very effective at keeping our size inside. There were a few lapses of focus on defense but we played much better. I was very happy with the play of guards Ethan Hawn and Reese Baker. They played much stronger games tonight and I’m happy with their progress.”
Borden’s coach, Doc Nash, was very upset with his teams play. “They played soft and with little effort. Until they toughen up we’re going to lose. I can’t coach toughness and we may never have it.”
Rock Creek’s next game is Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Louisville Evangel.
Borden’s next outing will be Friday, Dec. 4, a conference game at Lanesville.